Marlena Budna joined Saint Peter’s during the 2020-21 academic season as a women’s volleyball assistant coach.
 
Budna, joined Joe Chojnacki’s staff after one season at Hunter College where she served as an assistant women's volleyball coach, working primarily with hitters and blockers during 2019-20. With Budna on the sidelines, the Hawks posted an undefeated regular season in the CUNYAC and won the conference championship, leading to an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Budna also has coaching experience at the high school level, working as an assistant coach for boys and girls varsity volleyball at the United Nation International School (UNIS) while also holding the title of head coach for girls middle school volleyball and basketball.
 
Budna is a 2019 graduate of Hunter, where she played on the women's volleyball team for two seasons. While playing for the Hawks, she led the program to two undefeated regular seasons and tournament championships with a pair of NCAA tournament appearances.
As a senior, Budna was selected as a CUNYAC First-Team All-Star, named CUNYAC Tournament MVP, and was the CUNYAC Preseason Player of the Year. She also led the CUNYAC in blocks and ranked eighth in nation during 2018. Additionally, she earned AVCA All American Honorable Mention, AVCA All Region, and CUNYAC All-Tournament Team honors in 2017. Budna is no stranger to Saint Peter’s women’s volleyball, having played on the team her freshman and sophomore seasons being transferring to Hunter. While in Jersey City, she was voted to the MAAC All-Rookie Team and MAAC All-Academic Team in 2015.